What has Sri Lanka got to make it the ultimate tropical destination? In a word, everything. From misty mountains to tropical rainforests to wildlife sancturies and lush waterfalls — you name it and it is just a few hours drive away from any part of the island. For adventurers, activities abound from rock-climbing, trekking, mountain-biking, canoeing and surfing to more conventional outdoor pastimes like cricket and golf.

Quite interestingly, Sri Lanka has a documented history that spans over a two and a half millennia. The cultural triangle that encompasses the cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy showcases the architecture, sculpture and engineering feats from the 3rd to the 14th century AD, a golden age marked by economic prosperity, the arrival of Buddhism and sporadic invasions from the Chola kingdom of South India.

Though Sri Lanka has been a haven for the nature lovers and tourists, of late the tiny island has been in news for all the wrong reasons — frequent attacks from the LTTE and the unexpected Tsunami that wiped away many lives two years ago.

However, in a bid to revive the tourism industry and to showcase the hidden treasure in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Airways in association with Jet Wings group of hotels took a group of journalists from India on a 5-day visit to Central Sri Lanka, that is, Negombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Pinnawela and Colombo.

Negombo

Negombo is situated by the shores of a lagoon of the same name and once has been a trading port for Portuguese and Dutch and is an ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the airport (12 km from international airport Katunayake and 42 km from Colombo).

Attractions in the city are the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration and old churches. Negombo is also a traditional fishing village whose character has not changed through the years. There are dozens posh as well as ordinary hotels/guest houses on the shore. The 100-km long canal running through Negombo is still being used and is an attraction for those who want to see the country from a different perspective.

Sigiriya

Known as “The Mount of Remembrance” and considered by some as the eighth wonder of the world, it contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477 - 495 AD). On the west of the rock are ponds, the remains of summer palaces and other structures, and the first part of the ancient road, which lead to its impressive summit.

A number of foreigners not only visit Sigiriya but climb the fort (which has got more than 1,200 steep steps) while a few give up half-way!

Students of archaeology believe that the rock of Sigiriya was originally covered with earth. Kasyapa had the massive rock complex cleared to construct an unassailable fortress palace. Around 200 metre high, the great rock was carved to the shape of a crouching lion. Some of the lion’s paws were built of stone and binding. The main palace comes on the back of the ‘lion’ but what remains today is only the great foundation work of this construction.

Kandy

Located about 115 km away from Colombo and some 500 metres above sea level, Kandy is the third and the last of the royal capitals. After Polonnaruwa had bowed out, and before Kandy itself became the capital, there was vacuum in the country without a capital but only kingdoms in different places. Kandy filled the gap when the Portuguese landed in Sri Lanka and the Sinhala king moved to Kandy. He made it the capital and remained there until the British took over the city in 1815.

The Tooth Relic

In the 4th century, an Indian princess came to Sri Lanka with the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.
According to history, she had surreptitiously taken it away from the possession of her father who had abandoned Buddhism. She smuggled it concealed in a coil of her hair and presented it with great respect to the king of Anuradhapura.

The king built a special temple and reposited it there. The relic was moved every time the capital was relocated until it arrived at the present resting place in Kandy’s temple of the Sacred Tooth, in the vicinity of the Royal Palace, where it is held in great respect by all, informed our Tour Guide W M Sumanarathna.
In the months of July-August, the biggest religious procession (Perehera) is conducted round the streets of Kandy.

This is a traditional procession conducted by the temple and has taken place since ancient times. Participating in this pageant are chieftains in traditional garb. The largest number of gaily caparisoned elephants seen in any national festival participate in it.

The country’s fabulous and ancient culture is represented by dancers, Kandyan dancers, drummers and Hindu religious dignitaries in their festive finery. People from all parts of the country, from all walks of life, flock to the hill capital to catch a glimpse of the scene, the cynosure of all eyes, Sumanarathna adds.

Nuwara Eliya

The city of Nuwara Eliya is around 2,000 metres above sea-level and the drive from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is simply superb with thousands of acres of tea estates. “It was developed as a holiday resort by the early planters because of its equable climate which resembles English summer,” informed a localite.

In fact, the excursion from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya will take you on winding roads emerging through hills unfolding beautiful scenery of cascading waterfalls and tea plantations that appear as green carpets.

The climate will change from that of comfortable Kandy to cool misty mountains with nippy fresh air greeting you on very side. The temperature was around 10 degrees when we reached Nuwara Eliya.

Colombo

Colombo is the youngest capital of Sri Lanka. It has the biggest port of the country. Standing midway between the Middle East and Far East, it has become the largest trading centre of the country. It is the home of about one million people and about half-a-million more people pass through the city daily.

One point must be remembered by the tourists is that one has to bargain for anything — be it taxi or shopping, lest you may end up paying double the price. Equally important is the fact that Sri Lanka has got public 164 holidays in a year and people are very warm, friendly and they welcome you by saying “Ayubowan”, a unique Sri Lankan greeting spoken with palms placed together (just like Indians say Namasthe) meaning ‘may you have long life’.

In fact, if you are looking for an all-in-one Asian holiday experience, you will be hard-pressed to find a more captivating destination than Sri Lanka, as the tiny island with 1,340 km of lush, tropical coastline, has got it all!